Chapter 6

Six

J asper saw the letter as it slipped into his bedchamber and made his way to the door before it lost its momentum. He picked up the square of parchment and unfolded the letter.

I accept. I will become your marchioness.

CK

Jasper read the words scrolled in Celia's feminine handwriting. His heart elated at the simple words—I accept. Squeezing the letter in his hand, he started toward his desk to reply, then turned toward the door. The hell with writing. He wanted to hold her close. See the warmth in her eyes and feel the softness of her lips.

She would marry him. He would spend the rest of his life with her at his side. They would build a future—a family.

Celia forgave him. She trusted him, and she wanted him.

With long, quick strides, he made his way to her room.

She was waiting for him with her hip resting against the doorjamb. "I knew you would come to me," she said, a satisfied grin playing at her lips.

"I will always come to you," he took a step closer. "Say it out loud, Celia. Tell me you meant what you wrote. Say you will marry me."

She backed into her room, stepping to the side in order to allow him entrance.

He followed, his gaze never wandering from hers.

She shut the door, then reached for him. "I will marry you."

He swept her into his arms and held her tight against his pounding heart. "You will not regret this, Celia. I swear to you, I will make you happy. I will treasure you and honor you until I draw my last breath."

"I already regret my choice."

"What?" He loosed his hold on her and stared down at her. Much to his relief, there was playfulness in her gaze. "What reason do you have for regret so soon?"

She wet her lips. "You have yet to kiss me." She rose on to her toes, bringing her lips closer to his. "I shall want lots of kisses. Dozens each day and every night before I fall to sleep, too."

"Then you shall have them." Jasper covered her mouth with his. Every ounce of love and longing he felt went into the kiss. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, claiming and branding her. Passion and tenderness flowed through him and she meet his demand with one all her own. By the time he pulled away, they were both breathless.

"Are you satisfied now?" He teased.

"Humm… Not quite," she said, her voice full of mischief. "When will you bed me?" A slight blush painted her cheeks as she spoke.

"The moment we are wed," he replied. Which meant to blasted long in his estimation, but he wanted to do this right. He had to show her the respect she deserved. Had to honor what they shared. "I will need to procure a license. Unless you wish for the banns to be read."

"Three weeks. I do not think I could stand the wait." Her grin grew wider, her gaze soft and sparkling. "I should like to marry this very night."

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I would give you anything, but marring tonight is beyond my power."

"Lucky for you, I have some power of my own." She twirled her finger in the hair at the back of his neck. "My brother is a duke, after all. One who believes in the necessity of being prepared for any circumstance that might arise."

Jasper chuckled, then kissed her again. "I suppose having an unwed sister would necessitate the need for a handy license?"

"Most certainly." She backed toward the door; bring him with her. "Go dress. I will have someone wake the duke and duchess."

"My valet can fetch the vicar," Jasper said as he stole one last kiss before departing.

Two hours later, Celia was introduced as the Marchioness of Crawford amid a round of cheers. Charles and Julia had awakened the entire party to come and watch the nuptials take place, after which they all moved to the ballroom.

Jasper handed her a glass of champagne. "Are you pleased?"

"Very much so," she said as she looked across the room to where Julia and Charles danced. "I could not ask for more."

"Are you certain?"

She nodded, then took a sip of the bubbly drink.

"Dance with me." He took her glass and set it on a passing servant's tray.

Celia laughed as he swept her onto the dance floor, then held her scandalously close.

He whispered in her ear, "I love you."

She stopped dancing, tears pricking at her eyes. "I never… I did not dare dream… Not so soon."

He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and stared deep into her eyes. "I love you. I have loved you from the moment I set eyes on you clad in your muddy frock. And I will love you for eternity."

"Oh, Jasper." She pressed her lips to his. "I love you too. Take me to bed now. I long to be your wife in every way."

"Are you sure?" He asked, not wanting to rush her. "I will wait until you are ready. Hours, days, or years, I will wait."

"I do not want to wait another second." She took his hand and tugged him toward the door.

He could barely continence that this beautiful woman was his wife. That he alone would get to hold her and love her for the rest of his days. And he, too, wanted to solidify the vows they had spoken.

When they reached their room, he tumbled her onto the bed, then covered her body with his. His mouth taking hers in a hungry, demanding kiss. Their tongues thrusting together as the wet heat of her mouth infused his.

She tugged and pulled at his clothing until she worked her hands inside of his shirt. "I want to feel you. Take it off," she said, her words husky, demanding.

"As you wish, wife." Jasper moved off her long enough to discard his waistcoat, cravat, and shirt. He ran a finger across her décolletage. "I wish to touch you." He helped her sit, then trailed kisses down her throat, across her collarbone, and over her shoulder as he undid the buttons running down her back.

She moaned and wiggled, pushing her gown down to her waist. Her hands trailed over his shoulders and down his back as he bent his head to her breasts, kissing each mound before pulling one pink nipple into his mouth and suckling.

Her back arched as she cried out for more, her fingers tangled in his hair. "I want you. I want all of you, Jasper."

He wanted to be deep within her, too, but knew she was not ready. Releasing her nipple, he said, "Be patient, love. I do not want to hurt you."

She reached for the buttons of his falls. "You won't," she said.

He rolled onto his back and let her do as she pleased. When his cock sprang free of its confines, she reached for it. Her fingers feathering tentatively over his length. His body jerked in response. Then she curled her fingers around his cock, and a guttural moan tore from deep within him.

"You like that?" She asked, her gaze full of wonder.

He thrust into her hand. "You make me wild with desire."

"Show me how to please you," she said, her gaze locked with his.

She smiled as he brought his hand over hers and guided her movements. The action nearly undid him, and he stilled her hand, moving it away from his cock. "Now it is my turn to please you," he said, guiding her to lie back.

In another minute, he was kissing her, his fingers creeping up past her silk stockings to play with the downy curls between her thighs. "Relax and allow me to worship you."

Her lips parted as her thighs opened.

He kissed his way down her body, starting at her lips and making his way to her waist. She reached for her gown and helped him drag it down her legs. He kissed his way back up her legs, teasing the back of her knees before continuing up her inner thighs.

Celia tangled her fingers in his hair and panted as his mouth found her center.

"Jasper, oh. Ah, Jasper." She writhed against him as his tongue and fingers stroked her most sensitive place. "I'm going…." She tugged his head away from her pearl. "It's too much."

He gave her his most wicked grin. "Let it happen, love." Then lowered his head back into the cradle of her thighs. He suckled and teased until she came apart, moaning his name as her head pressed into the pillows.

Jasper kissed his way over her stomach, across her ribs, and over the place where her heartbeat rapidly. Then, with one smooth thrust, he buried his cock in her warmth. Stilling, he met her gaze. "You belong to me."

She nodded, her breaths coming rapidly. "Make love to me."

And he did. Jasper made love to her until they were both depleted of energy and full of satisfaction. Then he pulled her close and stroked his fingers up and down her back. "I will love you forever," he said into the mass of blond curls spread across his chest.

"And I you," she said moments before her eyes closed and soft breaths feathered across his skin.

Jasper smoothed her hair and kissed the top of her head. "Sleep, sweeting," He whispered as the first light of morning filtered into the bedchamber. For the first time in his life, he was truly happy. She was his soulmate. His one and only. The woman God had made just for him. And he was indeed a lucky man.